Saturday's letters to the editor, June 7

Re: "Right-wing paper," David C. Rider, June 4. Mr. Rider seems to confuse personal opinions with a desire or intent to force such opinions on others. He claims Cal Thomas wants to "force his religion on everyone else at City Hall and the Capitol." Having read Thomas' column for years, and having admired his presentations on television, I am at a complete loss.

As a conservative, I oppose abortion and gay marriage, but I have never demanded that anyone be forced to share that opinion and, in fact, would vehemently oppose any attempt by government or private individuals to do so.

Conservatives, as is Cal Thomas, believe in freedom, meaning all of the ideals so marvelously expressed in the Declaration of Independence. Apparently some on the left have problems with that and with the kindly, good-natured, mild mannered conservatives among us like Cal Thomas. If those of us who are conservative Christians did (as we do not) want to force our religion on others, we would demand that non-Christians be baptized, recite the Apostle's Creed and the Lord's Prayer.

Richard W. Metz, Fort Myers

Confused thinker

I think David C. Rider is a bit confused (I'm attempting to be polite.) The News-Press is decidedly left wing. The Mailbag leans right. Why? Because the majority of the voters are Republicans and can write pretty well.

Several years ago, in an effort to be able to claim political neutrality, the paper allowed us to vote on columnists. They selected about three libs and three right-wingers, among those your Pitts and my Thomas.

To find out if The News-Press is biased, read what the editorials say and the daily cartoons it depicts. For instance, a recent Marlette cartoon gave another smack at Gov. Scott, as he is prone to do.

Jim Walsh, North Fort Myers

Conservative nation

Congratulations Mr. Rider. You said it all and perfectly. I could not have said it better myself!

The icing on the cake was your paragraph where you quote a letter writer who wondered, "Where voting for the 'liberal ideal' has gotten us." Your reply was "I don't know; we've never tired that."

I might add, not in Southwest Florida anyway! When I moved to Southwest Florida 34 years ago it was immediately evident this was the bastion of conservatism.

The News-Press does publish both sides of the question, as witnessed by the letters and opinions of all journalists and writers. Be careful what you say. Opposing view points are not tolerated here!

John P. Dainus, Fort Myers

Far-left zealot

David C. Rider wrote that The News-Press was not a liberal paper. That is subjective. If you ignore a deluge of letters on a certain subject to help your agenda, that to me is a slant. But to ignore the fact that the country elected a far left zealot who rules by decree, by his own acknowledgement, is completely self-delusional. Where have you been?

I am wondering where the great liberal thinkers are. Except for professor Jonathan Turley, a liberal scholar, no one else is pointing out the usurpation of our Constitution by this president.

What a bunch of hypocrites you all are. I guess you are the same ones who allowed the socialist Nazis to get away with their power grab.

Michael Bloomberg, did excoriate liberals on campus for denying free speech. So there is hope. Free speech is free speech. No matter the cause.

The Senate is now trying to change the Bill of Rights. Wake up, liberals, the country needs you.

Walter J. Sivigny, Cape Coral

Heal thyself

We should carefully consider whether or not we let the government take over our health care system. Let's see if they can fix the VA problem first.

The jury is still out as to whether he deserted or not and there is a good chance that he did. Remember these names, Mr. Robnolte, Bowen, Walker, Curtis, Andrews, Murphrey and Martinek. These are the six soldiers who died trying to find Bergdahl. Ask their family members if they think this prisoner exchange was a good one.

Mr. Robnolte goes on to say that Republicans should get in line with the American people. This story is still evolving. It's quite possible that Mr. Robnolte may have to get in line with the American people on this one.